tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28037402662346868582024-03-13T13:02:54.244+10:30Cooking, Crafts and FreedomEarly retirement - not only for the over 65's!Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-46457109168064245342017-07-27T15:53:00.001+09:302021-04-14T16:28:44.550+09:30CRAFTS: Mosaic Mirror Garden Ball <br />
I decided that I needed a WOW FACTOR in the very small backyard we now have with the new house. To be honest, I had to find a solution to the stick that held our Rain Gauge in the middle of the yard. It was ugly.<br />
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So I spent a little time humming and haaaaa-ing over what to do with the rain gauge to allow us to still have one, but for it to be included in a nice feature.<br />
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I had bought a fibrous cement ball which was supposed to be the top of a water feature. It was "down the back" at a garden pot place. It was a creamy colour with a larger hole on one end and a smaller hole on the opposite side. It just so happened the larger hole could fit my plastic gauge!!<br />
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Finished and in place.</div>
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I decided on a subtle row of glass beads for around the opening.</div>
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And put my broken mirror stock to good use. I left the underside blank where the ball would sit on the rocks.</div>
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During the grouting process. Had to be careful and take extra time - some mirror bits had very sharp edges. I decided to grout in white - so that the mirror would be the star! </div>
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The exciting bit - placing it for the first time into it's "nest" of river stones. </div>
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Rain Gauge fits and is easily extracted for readings!</div>
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All done. Found the perfect pot. When the sun hits it there are lovely sun dots around the fence, yard and eaves. It will be interesting how these go in summer!!</div>
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So now I can monitor our rain amounts with style!!</div>
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Very pleased with this one!</div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-78365369435437157212017-07-27T15:09:00.000+09:302017-07-27T15:11:44.810+09:30FREEDOM: Building a House - Selections - Splashback <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Next we ventured into the world of Glass Splashbacks. Very exciting as I have only had tiles and laminate for kitchen splashbacks in the past.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Glass splashbacks were included in our building contract. You are allocated an "allowance" value and if your splashback cost is over the allowance, you need to pay the difference. Yep - you guessed right, ours went over by $735.00 !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> When we went into the showroom, we were faced with 3 walls of glass options like this one:</span><br />
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Lucky for me, I knew what colour I would like (because the kitchen colours had already formed in my head) so I headed straight for the GREENS.<br />
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DAINTREE</div>
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The Winner.</div>
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They happened to have DAINTREE up and used as a "Mock" Shower splash back in the show room. I knew I made my dream selection.</div>
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These were brand new. Sort of a marbly swishy type of finish. They were spectacular and the picture does them no justice. If only I were a little more "rad"!! Next life I guess *wink*.</div>
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Next stop - Cabinetmakers! </div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-43341201032169713612017-05-16T16:32:00.001+09:302017-05-16T16:32:35.796+09:30FREEDOM: Building a House - Selections - Plumbing.<br />
Further to my first post about building a house, I wanted to document our journey in "Selections" - the builders way of saying - selecting all the house details.<br />
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It is daunting and stressful. It didn't help that while we were doing our selection appointments, in the background, we were involved in an intensive time of our lives - selling our previous house. The sales campaign was not going well, and all of the confidence given to us by our sales agent was being eroded week by week by having no firm interest in our house. It was clear that we were not going to obtain a good price, like the one quotes by the agent in the beginning.<br />
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This was in the back of my mind while "spending" money during the selections! When you see the words "Upgrade from standard" it means I rejected the standard range included in the build contract and chose something else (something more expensive!).<br />
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<b><i>PLUMBING:</i></b><br />
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Two of these (left) for the twin vanity in the ensuite. Upgrade from standard.</div>
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One of these for main bathroom. Standard. </div>
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Two of these, one in ensuite, one next to main bathroom. Upgrade from standard.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkO7Gw1C0AaPcdv1xiDAgvO3FMhgWwO9FRRtCRDCMnSHkZ8G58u0Cg8996N6ubR52EmKoJFw-NlD4elf9pdjtdA3RGLfEzdxe_eUkcbJmVB6UkcXDdeAbPn6ajVna-oGpfYJoc7MiO1w/s1600/IMG_0701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkO7Gw1C0AaPcdv1xiDAgvO3FMhgWwO9FRRtCRDCMnSHkZ8G58u0Cg8996N6ubR52EmKoJFw-NlD4elf9pdjtdA3RGLfEzdxe_eUkcbJmVB6UkcXDdeAbPn6ajVna-oGpfYJoc7MiO1w/s400/IMG_0701.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Mixer tap and spout for main bathroom tub. Standard.</div>
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Mixer taps for ensuite sinks. Upgrade from standard.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Mux3QPXumO3cLeWEH_0J55ZwNiu4L6AKFjcgPyGKM9A8a0qw9lHfnU3TTLkxOdTOqKfKI93hwMY5_OxhHW1JJkpoVdC3EDmAo19HlkMl3cE9rUzSzDjoc7iwaxeg6BfBZKAH0cih7x4/s1600/IMG_0706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Mux3QPXumO3cLeWEH_0J55ZwNiu4L6AKFjcgPyGKM9A8a0qw9lHfnU3TTLkxOdTOqKfKI93hwMY5_OxhHW1JJkpoVdC3EDmAo19HlkMl3cE9rUzSzDjoc7iwaxeg6BfBZKAH0cih7x4/s400/IMG_0706.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Small vanity and tap for utility room. Upgrade from standard.</div>
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Toilet roll holder, hand towel holder, and bath towel holders for all wet areas. Standard. Selected a double bath towel holder for ensuite. Upgrade from standard.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtL6PWDsVU28aj_9KAcneMZqqZB7vD2VcrIpLgYFT0IcRDeBzLH07AdeNCNen2q6I2WYMggv0t5OlC22sjKh_ZllpSemg_5eJMXJJOLKphm7PnwPmqkAESqDNKVyxj_7i3rZdfGix0T0/s1600/IMG_0711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtL6PWDsVU28aj_9KAcneMZqqZB7vD2VcrIpLgYFT0IcRDeBzLH07AdeNCNen2q6I2WYMggv0t5OlC22sjKh_ZllpSemg_5eJMXJJOLKphm7PnwPmqkAESqDNKVyxj_7i3rZdfGix0T0/s400/IMG_0711.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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One of two "banks" of taps to choose kitchen and butler's pantry taps. A little daunting.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxvnmz7cf2_NW-xu37VCIhTHe1afAesW1jB2tKYrX51hdP2TdvkYrv1IqDbOCbEOvK_rGm1ELK2-y74RoMf04izLfEcxxkG0tJ5r3GSRjOzISB-HqLvgAS7U9I4teQfFpGs_JYUO2XlI/s1600/IMG_0707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxvnmz7cf2_NW-xu37VCIhTHe1afAesW1jB2tKYrX51hdP2TdvkYrv1IqDbOCbEOvK_rGm1ELK2-y74RoMf04izLfEcxxkG0tJ5r3GSRjOzISB-HqLvgAS7U9I4teQfFpGs_JYUO2XlI/s400/IMG_0707.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The winner for the Kitchen. One of the few that have a nice flat lever to operate (arthritis accounted for) and the end of the tap slips out on a hose for versatility. Upgrade from standard.</div>
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I chose a pull-out veggie sprayer for the Butler's pantry, but forgot to take a picture. Upgrade from standard.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-oaSINPtd6jADTCLRlT9KhSmtcUkw1rA4umY1CTuja9iVX8GqIMIRlcqscUgjwIun3VutRMZusBXSkRnSchlsvqD1XNqRbn1gE3C6iEkZULXur0_D9VzE5UlpNGGp-1jRUDHerfZrOs/s1600/IMG_0712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-oaSINPtd6jADTCLRlT9KhSmtcUkw1rA4umY1CTuja9iVX8GqIMIRlcqscUgjwIun3VutRMZusBXSkRnSchlsvqD1XNqRbn1gE3C6iEkZULXur0_D9VzE5UlpNGGp-1jRUDHerfZrOs/s400/IMG_0712.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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German import for shower in main bathroom. Upgrade from standard.</div>
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I had already bought a special shower head and hose for the ensuite from another source. </div>
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So that was a big afternoon in the Plumbing supplier's showroom. To be honest, I was very disappointed in the standard selections, most of them were VERY basic and ugly. I felt that I had very little option but to upgrade almost everything. $$$$ heaving!</div>
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Bye for now!</div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-62609784710252284192017-04-30T15:49:00.001+09:302017-04-30T15:50:49.114+09:30FREEDOM: Let's build a House!! ... our Final House!!! <br />
Sorry for my very long absence. We have had real action in our lives to take care of for the last couple of years ... as you will see - and I simply have not had my blogs as top priorities. I always knew that when I was ready, I would sit down and "knuckle down" again. I think the time has come.<br />
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When my husband and I bought our first house together in 2001, we enjoyed and loved that house for 14 years. We did a lot of establishment and improvement to it, plus blood, sweat and tears! However, it became clear that the house would not be our final home. My husband is 19 years older than I am, and we knew that in our "golden years" we would need a house on a smaller plot, better security and most of all - no steps! Our house was set on a sloping block and therefore had a two step split in the middle and the house and gardens were set over 3 levels outside. We had steep moss rock steps to access the bottom level and large garage, and I could just see me getting a broken hip in the future! I can be quite clumsy too - and have fallen up and down the two steps inside, landing onto ceramic tiles is never much fun.<br />
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So it was on the cards to look for a plot of land, close to our neighbourhood services, and design and build the "final home" for us.<br />
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About 800 meters away from our old house a new development was taking shape, and we were waiting for lots to be released closer to our services and shopping centre. In the future it would be very easy to just walk to everything we needed. Eventually, the next stage of the land release happened - and the Oakford Homes saleslady (I'll call her Elly) contacted us to say - come in and discuss the possibilities!<br />
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Elly gave us a map of the development section and parcel lots, so we were able to start to shortlist the plot options that suited our needs.<br />
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Eventually we chose one, and Elly made sure we secured it.<br />
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Here it is:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_vO7pAShyphenhyphen6tlO1N2k18OLGSt_HSfMwR0hxpkUCF1OC3cc08VNJQc2JnK0oPyeVigFAVodZeObHblc4ms6vLUgtn6cIsQ-JRTdTWCRIbyR3uojxg6M4sPw3mlpkKjPpFGPdSaSZnRSaI/s1600/IMG_0449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_vO7pAShyphenhyphen6tlO1N2k18OLGSt_HSfMwR0hxpkUCF1OC3cc08VNJQc2JnK0oPyeVigFAVodZeObHblc4ms6vLUgtn6cIsQ-JRTdTWCRIbyR3uojxg6M4sPw3mlpkKjPpFGPdSaSZnRSaI/s400/IMG_0449.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's a corner lot, beyond that roundabout. It has great ravine views over to the other side. You will get to see more in future pictures.</div>
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Next we had to present a house "wish list" and first rough designs so Elly could begin to put together a house plan. Tom and I both drafted our thoughts and presented them to Elly to begin the work.<br />
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This was our chance to have the house design of <strike>our</strike> my dreams, my husband was happy if <strike>the boss</strike> I was happy. He really let me have full control. After all, it was the one chance I had to draft my dreams!!!<br />
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So a couple months went by, with house plans going to and fro us and the builder, until we were satisfied that the plans were as good as they could be. Every window/door/opening/wall/access/room were looked at and functionality and purpose assessed. It was a really interesting process.<br />
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Another appointment with Elly to secure the lot:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQakBcwwTZz70wiM4leNGdAHk8E5YGysXR2q47zQZPIWMs5uzYzYDzxXBAShFtkC8SHu1I1hWqA4Wxk0li9SwB8msnNaK7xHt8yAqm8xWtl7DKySncdgXDTU3_9LULcFhc-yFznPROsgQ/s1600/IMG_0623+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQakBcwwTZz70wiM4leNGdAHk8E5YGysXR2q47zQZPIWMs5uzYzYDzxXBAShFtkC8SHu1I1hWqA4Wxk0li9SwB8msnNaK7xHt8yAqm8xWtl7DKySncdgXDTU3_9LULcFhc-yFznPROsgQ/s400/IMG_0623+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span id="goog_1260440072"></span><span id="goog_1260440073"></span>No turning back now!</div>
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In the background to all this, we were busy selling our house, so we could be ready for when the first major payment instalments were due to begin. In our case there were 5 instalments of the BUILD, the first one due after the concrete foundation was poured.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGXdCwrATUePJoD7X2NDXQtJd7FfouXlHp139u_4uOnpLPYa8apGT3TfBSbpmSkq0q5MWZC_QW8y1aIDzfbE51zEYlieo7uwwg-Al7dJ9C2Q2gE_fPw4n8MbwYbU1I4Zv-8vKsXn6DIs/s1600/IMG_7508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGXdCwrATUePJoD7X2NDXQtJd7FfouXlHp139u_4uOnpLPYa8apGT3TfBSbpmSkq0q5MWZC_QW8y1aIDzfbE51zEYlieo7uwwg-Al7dJ9C2Q2gE_fPw4n8MbwYbU1I4Zv-8vKsXn6DIs/s400/IMG_7508.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was not an easy, fast sale. We had a 12 week contract with our agent, and it sold in the 11th week. We had 9 open house inspections! We got there in the end.... Whew!<br />
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We could not resist this corny shot:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIvRt_bHCeP-bjlrN3W1R2HvPeZSVLI0-5gr1AeqjuqwC8V0MNZAOguCVXzAbx_hMcqi0qfBlW-RcFkkIauOVPR21BHLWiKxnajh8ho-vZGQ_KOfzj5RnPFTYUtxX104jIicnI36wDCo/s1600/IMG_7540+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIvRt_bHCeP-bjlrN3W1R2HvPeZSVLI0-5gr1AeqjuqwC8V0MNZAOguCVXzAbx_hMcqi0qfBlW-RcFkkIauOVPR21BHLWiKxnajh8ho-vZGQ_KOfzj5RnPFTYUtxX104jIicnI36wDCo/s400/IMG_7540+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The lot was paid for, plans established .... let the building BEGIN!</div>
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Before ANY building takes place, clients must make their "selections" .... plumbing fixtures, tiles, grout, cabinetry, major appliances, bricks, roof, door handles, window colours, etc etc. It was daunting! That is the next post!<br />
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Thanks for reading!<br />
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<br />Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-38109096059685015942014-07-22T10:02:00.000+09:302014-07-22T10:02:21.893+09:30COOKING: Triple Chocolate Mud Pie<br />
It just so happens that my husband is not really a "sweets" person. His favourites, though, in this category are: Ice Cream and Mud Cake.<br />
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He recently had a Birthday Dinner where we invited his two adult children and their partners plus children. I made a wonderful roast lamb dinner, and left it up to husband to choose the sweets course.<br />
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I assisted his decision by showing him the front of my favourite "foodie" magazine .... Super Food Ideas (August 2012):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKqb1ATKxH5qWu3z1FOuVo4T4NugZ_fXnARa2c42foGZ8o1xfTSLvKaptKLhS9mD8Mq_Z8HWpX65DZ2tqPyrk7bhCcQrCeNfV3bkvF3bowUyVmewiWmIU7yaErRyHmKynBIGFEkTs440/s1600/IMG_5404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKqb1ATKxH5qWu3z1FOuVo4T4NugZ_fXnARa2c42foGZ8o1xfTSLvKaptKLhS9mD8Mq_Z8HWpX65DZ2tqPyrk7bhCcQrCeNfV3bkvF3bowUyVmewiWmIU7yaErRyHmKynBIGFEkTs440/s1600/IMG_5404.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Gloriously Gooey - Triple Chocolate Mud Pie.</div>
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<b>He was sold.</b></div>
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Here is the link: <a href="http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/30447/triple+chocolate+mud+pie#comments">http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/30447/triple+chocolate+mud+pie#comments</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnkGLHwoVI41AkMWaeCKgGrR4jf-E9XqItahaZee_NaQnaL-jLNjVBCooecbCzndWfa6nRf5lT2fAN4I5AdMGLfUgoLq7M35mAqzY1MT79vhOm3FnIFYv7zaTbJYmeouSfDHPxRwybW8/s1600/IMG_5358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnkGLHwoVI41AkMWaeCKgGrR4jf-E9XqItahaZee_NaQnaL-jLNjVBCooecbCzndWfa6nRf5lT2fAN4I5AdMGLfUgoLq7M35mAqzY1MT79vhOm3FnIFYv7zaTbJYmeouSfDHPxRwybW8/s1600/IMG_5358.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>This was mine.</b> I HAD to include white chocolate in my curls on top - but that was the only real change I made.</div>
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It was fairly easy to make - here are some steps which I photographed:</div>
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The case calls for Arnott's choc ripple biscuits.</div>
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I love my food processor! Make chocolate cookie crumbs.<br />
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Melt the butter in the microwave for speed.</div>
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You need a 23cm loose base flan tin for this pie.<br />
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Make your choccy case.<br />
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In a saucepan, make the "brownie" layer. Melt together dark chocolate, butter, sugar, water, instant coffee powder and milk. Stir till sugar dissolved and everything is well combined.<br />
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After saucepan mixture is left to cool off a bit.... add the sifted flour and cocoa powder - plus the beaten egg.<br />
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Mixture will be thick and lush ... like this - pour into biscuit case and bake for about 35min. </div>
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It should feel firm to touch when done.<br />
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Make ganache by combining chocolate and cream together and heat gently. Put 2/3 of your ganache on top of brownie layer when everything is cooled down.<br />
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Mmmmmm Chocolately goodness!<br />
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To serve. Beat whipping cream with some cocoa and I added a couple of tablespoons of icing sugar as well. Put cream on top of pie and decorate with curls of chocolate and drizzles of ganache.</div>
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Serve.<br />
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Your guests will be happy.<br />
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Our pie served 12 people. This is <b><i>VERY</i></b> rich and even a true chocoholic will stop at one small slice.<br />
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My biggest tip is to serve this at room temperature - if you make it the day before - you will want to refrigerate it. But allow it time <b><u>out of</u></b> the fridge before you add the topping or it will be very hard to get the fork through.<br />
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ENJOY!<br />
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-77638280674446761382014-04-06T20:33:00.000+09:302014-04-06T20:33:05.654+09:30CRAFTS: Making Easter Eggs ( Non - edible )<br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Who doesn't like an Easter Centrepiece for the table??</span></i></b><br />
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Two different types of eggs in this basket.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last year in the post-Easter sales at my local craft store I spotted packs of paper mache and polystyrene craft eggs. They were marked down by 75% - so I <b><i>couldn't resist</i></b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The paper mache ones were real chicken egg size, and the polystyrene ones were more quail egg size.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First I got out the craft acrylic paints and got to work. I gave the small ones three coats of eggshell colour and when dry - stippled some gold sploges all over each one. Then I gave them a coat of my decoupage gloss medium and varnish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I bought some basic sheets of stickers and applied one to each egg. To make it sit nice and flat, I snipped around the edges a bit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I finished each one with two generous coats of the gloss medium.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Throughout this whole process I found it useful to stick each egg with a toothpick and spike them into some foam.</span></div>
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The finished products</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The paper mache eggs were given a different paint job. Pink, green, blue and peach. I put gold dots on half, and silver stripes on the other half. When dry I gave them two coats of the gloss medium.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found these very pretty rhinestone stick on gems in my craft store.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Started sticking. I can't resist bling (!!!)</span></div>
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Little stripes on the stripy ones</div>
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And two on each dot</div>
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Finished</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think these will bring a little Easter Cheer!!</span></div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-83181832624028967552014-03-18T16:47:00.000+10:302014-03-18T16:47:12.853+10:30CRAFTS: Making Jewellery - Beaded Earrings<br />
Most people who know me are comfortable in describing me as "crafty". I don't mean in a sneaky, conniving way...... I mean in the traditional crafty (making stuff) kinda way. I remember making earrings in High School with horrible cheap tacky plastic beads which were shared between kids - but we were delighted with the outcomes anyway.<br />
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I have walked down the aisles of my local "spotlight" store (this is a chain store for homewares, fabrics, manchester and crafts supplies) and I have witnessed the <b><i>explosion</i></b> of the jewellery making supplies including beautiful crystal and glass beads, gemstones, and little gold and silver wire things in tiny packets which totally threw me and therefore resulting in me avoiding those aisles entirely. I had no idea about what those things were and no idea as to how to begin to use them.<br />
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THEN - my monthly subscription of "Better Homes and Gardens" magazine came to me with a free packet of "kit" earrings attached. They were pretty purple based cluster beads and instead of having nice earrings sent .... the magazine had the cheek to send them in a hundred little beads and bits!!! Hence, I put the little packet into my drawer in the office .... and there they stayed for about 3 years!<br />
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OK - so I bit the bullet and started looking at "making cluster beaded earrings on You Tube". Isn't it amazing that you can watch a video of strangers doing just about everything on the internet!!??<br />
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I was stuck because I needed small tools as a minimum to get those earrings together. I remembered that my sister has had a "go" at making jewellery so I decided rather than launch into spending a lot of money on setting up a kit ..... I'd use my sisters to see if I liked this whole business. She was more than happy as she had spent a small fortune on setting up her crate and due to some limitations in her wrist and grip strength .... does not make much anymore.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRei6Fv_3896HojNAqD00r7bQZNElh6QDzvtoImRXRmofn4r3ICxesgdMMmI3qhX13KhSrODhZZPyQAgEnbkn90yLtSAz7l5wYDGy3FFT2qgvTLrfArBLqTZdRWBJyy7T6oqB74gqaPRs/s1600/IMG_4977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRei6Fv_3896HojNAqD00r7bQZNElh6QDzvtoImRXRmofn4r3ICxesgdMMmI3qhX13KhSrODhZZPyQAgEnbkn90yLtSAz7l5wYDGy3FFT2qgvTLrfArBLqTZdRWBJyy7T6oqB74gqaPRs/s1600/IMG_4977.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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My sister has a HUGE plastic storage crate filled with goodies - here is just a very small snapshot of what I got to play with.</div>
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I learned a few things while starting this beading stuff. 1) My eyesight is definitely worse than what I like to think it is!! 2) You need good lighting 3) You drop things about 500 times while trying to put together jump rings and clustery bits and pieces. Imagine holding a continental cucumber in each hand, and then having to pick up and manipulate a matchstick. Imagine! </div>
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I take my hat off to all you Jewellery makers out there.... and to those of you who put your skills onto You Tube and make it look soooooo easy!!</div>
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Anyway - now to "Show and Tell" my efforts:</div>
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The infamous Purple Cluster Earrings from the Kit!!</div>
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Second pair - I wanted to make gold ones.</div>
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Then I wanted to make some using these very pretty glass beads.</div>
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Who could resist making earrings using these pretty glass beads. The bigger ones are so sparkly!</div>
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Finally had to finish up making some using my favourite colour ..... Green! They look wonky on this picture .... but that's what macro mode will do I guess!!</div>
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All in all I am very pleased with my efforts. My very good Blogging pal (Di) ( who makes Jewellery for a living) said that I should have a crack at this because she knows I am crafty. I'm not sure if I will continue much past making a few more earrings .... maybe a necklace or two .... but I have to learn about closures and clasps and stuff like that yet.</div>
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I've stopped myself from spending up too big on sparkly beads and pink tools .... I think I can share the crate belonging to my sister - and will donate the stuff I have bought so far into the crate.</div>
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I'll keep you posted if the beading bug bites me again!!</div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-17079257080373975992014-02-06T13:05:00.000+10:302014-02-06T13:32:25.279+10:30FREEDOM: High Tea with the Girls<br />
Sorry it's been so long since my last post. Happy 2014 everyone!<br />
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I still remain in contact with 5 girlfriends from High School days. We finished High School in 1984. I still can't believe where the years go!!??<br />
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Anyway - we had our first High Tea together last year - and then decided we could do it better (!!) ourselves.<br />
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So. I co-ordinated three girls to make a savoury dish, and three girls to make a sweet. We then made a date and time and gathered at the beautiful house of one of our group who happens to be a doctor. No husbands or children....... genius!!<br />
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What we didn't plan for was the Hottest February Day in years and years and years!! Was 44.7 degrees celsius in Adelaide (113F) - but we had air conditioning to keep us from melting away!!<br />
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I made ribbon sandwiches with Chia bread. The two fillings were Cream Cheese and Cucumber and Lemon Cream Cheese with Smoked Ocean Trout. I got carried away and made Rye Mountain Bread Pinwheels which contained Roast Chicken, Light Mayo and Shredded Lettuce.</div>
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The other platter up high contained Prawn Yum Cha with Kecap Manis Sauce (Sweet Soy).</div>
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Another dish was Cream Cheese Vol-au-vents with Smoked Salmon and Dill.</div>
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Sweets courses next. These were Fresh Fruit Jelly with Coconut Meringues. The friend who made these was delighted to use (FINALLY) these lovely glasses that she received for a wedding gift ..... won't tell you how many years ago!!</div>
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Mini Banoffe Pies and Custard Tarts.</div>
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Cubed Watermelon and Mango. Much appreciated given the weather!</div>
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Mini baked Cheesecakes - soooooo good!</div>
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We proved that High Tea is do-able at home. Just grab some good friends and allocate a savoury or sweet dish - then meet. No-one is left to do the lion share of the work and we could laugh, gossip and natter to our hearts content..... and not have to be mindful of the next table of diners!!</div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-58788775937602275082013-11-14T14:18:00.000+10:302013-11-14T14:18:29.398+10:30CRAFTS: Mosaic Wall Art <br />
I've just finished another Mosaic piece …. I call it my "Barrier Reef". I love how it turned out and have decided it will go to one of my hubs sisters for Christmas. This sister lives in a seaside suburb and very close to a beach. She loves all things "fish".<br />
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Here it is - balanced in the garden prior to grouting.</div>
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All finished and in the process of drying. I think it will look great on the wall of sister-in-laws patio.</div>
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This is one that I did for a wall in my outdoor patio some time ago. It was kind of "medusa inspired" but without the snakes!</div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-13217826804036496042013-11-09T16:28:00.000+10:302013-11-09T16:28:39.221+10:30CRAFTS: Rag Doll Rehab<br />
Over the last 6-8 months I have "rehab-ed" 3 Rag Dolls that belong to the Education Department (School library section) in the South Australian Government. My sister works there and she saw how the three dolls had seen better days.<br />
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<b> Let's call her "Purple"!</b></div>
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My sister had already bought Purple "new" clothes from the op-shop, and did some sponge bathing of the face, feet and hands. Purple needed immediate attention to her posture (stuffing) and her face and hair.</div>
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She had just sparse hair on the top and a line of hair down the back centre of her head.</div>
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After taking a sample of her hair wool shopping with me, I found wool that was fairly identical and cut lengths along my desk. Two pieces of tape kept everything kind of together and ordered.</div>
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I then pinned the wool inside a folded over piece of tissue paper, and marked a dotted line where I was going to run the sewing machine.</div>
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Sewed from one end to the other. Then tore away the paper carefully.</div>
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I then hand sewed the stitched line of wool down the side of her face. I also stitched down some of the wool that existed on the top of her head - to give her a permanent fringe and to cover bald spots.</div>
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I opened her up via the back seam and stuffed more wadding into her face, neck, shoulders and torso. She will now be able to sit up herself and hold her head up too.</div>
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Now for Purple's face. I removed her eyes and mouth, and left her eyebrows and nose.</div>
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Out of white and black felt I cut out new eyes and glued them on using a strong craft glue.</div>
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Every girl needs a little red mouth that is demure! Red felt came in handy and several go's with scissors formed the perfect pout!</div>
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To finish her hair - It was such a lovely length that I decided Purple needed plaits. When the plaits looked even I trimmed the ends to tidy her up.</div>
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She even scored a pretty pink glitter bow!</div>
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<b>FINISHED!!</b> Purple is all ready to face the outside world and be loaned to teachers to "help" with the Education of little people!!</div>
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<b><i>I'm sure she feels like she can take on anything now!</i></b></div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-43481228214587272732013-08-27T12:07:00.001+09:302013-08-27T12:11:25.243+09:30COOKING: (Microwave) Chocolate Salted Caramel Mug CakesIt's been so long since I've put up a recipe, and I'm sorry about that. Last night I had my brother and his two mini-schnauzers over for the afternoon and evening..... so I always make a nice dinner and a dessert. Normally this is the only sweet course we have over the week because I'm always trying to reduce my ever expanding body!! But, everything in moderation remember.<br />
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<b>Chocolate Salted Caramel Mug Cakes</b> </div>
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(<b><i>Source: Super Food Ideas Magazine, August 2013</i></b>) </div>
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You will enjoy this one. I found the recipe in my monthly foodie magazine that I subscribe to. "My" only change was to sprinkle a few choocy chips on the top, a couple of times..... you will agree with me.<br />
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It was dead easy and worked a treat. This recipe makes FOUR.<br />
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The ingredients are:<br />
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1/2 cup self-raising flour<br />
1/2 cup caster sugar<br />
1/3 cup cocoa powder, sifted<br />
1 egg<br />
1/2 cup milk<br />
1 and a half Tbspns vegetable oil<br />
1 teaspoon pink salt flakes<br />
6 jersey caramels, quartered<br />
2 Tbspns dark chocolate chips/bits<br />
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Whipped cream to serve<br />
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Aprons on.... here we go:<br />
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Get the Jersey Caramels out, open the packet and eat one or two to check they are OK. If they are, quarter 6 with a sharp knife and hide the rest of the packet from the family.</div>
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Combine the flour, sugar and cocoa (you MUST sift the cocoa it always has little lumps) and whisk through. I used a big pyrex jug that had a pouring spout because I thought it was a genius idea!</div>
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Add in the egg, oil and milk...</div>
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And whisk for 30 seconds till it's like thickish pancake batter consistency.</div>
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Pour into your chosen mug or ramekin (this is where the pouring spout was genius!)</div>
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Pop all four into the microwave (recipe is based on a 1100watt microwave) and cook on high for 1 minute - the above picture is what they will look like.</div>
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Put on pieces of your quartered caramel, a little sprinkle of salt and a little sprinkle of choc chips.</div>
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Back into the microwave for another minute then this is what they will look like.</div>
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Put another 3 pieces, salt and chips on, and microwave for 2 minutes. All done!</div>
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Serve with whipped cream and watch the chocoholics squirm with joy and then do their Happy Food Dances!</div>
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<b><i>I will definitely make these again.</i></b></div>
<br />Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-55808982552196669292013-07-09T13:21:00.001+09:302013-07-09T13:21:25.297+09:30FREEDOM: Dinner for my husband's Birthday.My husband celebrated a significant Birthday mile stone yesterday - so I organised a small celebration at a beautiful restaurant on the Torrens River just out of Adelaide's CBD. The Red Ochre Restaurant is famous for it's inventive use of Australian ingredients including very unknown "bush food" morsels which normally are not readily available in a supermarket.<br />
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Over ten years ago my brother and I took a Canadian cousin and husband out for a meal and we ended up choosing this restaurant - and we had a fabulous night then too. We took the tack of choosing almost every entree and shared each plate so a full taste experience was had. I can honestly say - the Canadians were blown away by "Aussie fare". They had assumed that Australian food is what they got served up at "Outback Jacks" ....... no...no ..... nooooooo!!<br />
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Back to last night..... here are some pictures to make you hungry!<br />
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The exterior - Our restaurant was upstairs and there is a separate one downstairs.</div>
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Walking up.</div>
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Looking at the City Scape on the river over the balcony tables. Too cold to sit outside in winter!</div>
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Tasting plate contained Crocodile fish cake with lemon myrtle pickle, potato and leak soup with pepper leaf chive cream, and goats curd noisette with liquid beetroot.</div>
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Husband had the Char Grilled Kangaroo</div>
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My choice was asian inspired Clay Pot Duck.....</div>
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The duck dish was then spooned over my steamed bok choy and coconut and lemongrass rice. The rice was to die for!!!</div>
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This was the organic prosciutto wrapped chicken, soft herb stuffing, confit leg, sweet potato, toasted cashews, spinach puree, cranberry and native apple pickle.</div>
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Salt bush lamb</div>
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Yam Gratin side dish</div>
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My dessert..... Wow! Macadamia and honey parfait, salted caramel popcorn, and chocolate ganache.</div>
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Trio of brûlées - chocolate, plum and lime and ginger.</div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-75746408923345789422013-06-30T15:22:00.000+09:302013-06-30T15:22:06.079+09:30CRAFTS: Mosaic Garden Ball<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Mosaic Garden Ball</div>
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I had this vision for the longest time - of a permanent garden decoration in the shape of a ball that I could mosaic. I had started to look high and low for something suitable..... and was trying not to buy a solid concrete thing..... but really I needed something very sturdy for the purpose.<br />
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A venture into my local "pots and plants" shop gave me the "jack-pot" amongst the Bargain Corner items .... (where the chipped and unloved stuff end up) ....I spotted two concrete balls that were supposed to be part of a water feature... but something had happened to the pedestals! Before you could say Rumplestiltskin..... they were in the back of my car (yes - I did pay for them first) and I was happily driving them home.<br />
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My sister is heavily involved in garden clubs and such. She had been on a tour of gardens interstate where the group were taken to a garden which was heavily studded with interesting garden ornaments that were mosaic'd - and she said to me that it really struck her at how lovely it looked.<br />
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So this was an invitation to stud her garden! And an opening for homemade Birthday and Christmas gifts for the future.<br />
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Here it is sitting on a tray filled with sand, then the tray is slipped into a plastic bag. This gives a nice surface to work on.</div>
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I wanted to give the ball a strong base - sort of like built in legs so I applied a heavy layer of adhesive </div>
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And glued in four flattish river stones. This should elevate the ball slightly to allow water and moisture to run off and not soak the base of the ball.</div>
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I stuck on a combination of glass beads and assorted ceramic items.</div>
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Someone was fascinated with the project!</div>
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I then had to move it inside because of the cold winds outside. I decided to use white tiles as the background as I have a healthy supply thanks to my brother's bathroom renovation. For some extra bling I stuck on random pieces of mirror as well. </div>
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Finally - all covered.</div>
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Outside again after a drying time of two days. Now is the grouting. You need a big bucket or tub of water (I use an old kitchen bin) and fill it with rain water.</div>
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Get your grout powder and some water - then mix the grout with the water until it is thick.</div>
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The right thickness is important - you need to be able to put a big blob on the end of your spatula and it needs to hold its shape and resist coming off the spatula. I suppose this is like bricklayer's mortar.</div>
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With a dry sponge I squish it into all gaps really really thoroughly - allow to dry for about 5 minutes - then begin to carefully wipe it over and over with a damp sponge to clean off excess. This is where the big tub of water comes into play.</div>
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Sorry to have no photos of this process - but handling wet grout and wet sponges and a camera is not possible!</div>
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I did the bottom half first..... then came back after an hour or so and grouted the top half.</div>
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It's messy and I don't enjoy grouting much - but you get there in the end. The trick is to allow the grout to dry enough so it stays in the cracks..... but is wet enough to wipe off the pieces in the project. You must be very careful not to wipe too much out from between the pieces. The grout here is still drying and looks darker than the finished and dry product.</div>
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Here it is - temporarily in my garden - ready to transfer into my sister's garden on Wednesday. (Thank goodness for strong husbands!)</div>
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<b><i>Happy Birthday Sis!</i></b></div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-39192463426027497362013-06-12T13:22:00.000+09:302013-06-12T16:12:16.473+09:30FREEDOM: Freedom for over 100 dogs and cats<br />
Sad news from Adelaide, Australia.<br />
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I like to stick my head in the sand sometimes...... I am <b><i>so affected </i></b>when I hear about cruelty to animals, I love animals - especially domestic dogs and cats.<br />
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About three days ago our Adelaide branch of the RSPCA raided a "puppy and kitten farm" which has been operating in the rural outskirts of Adelaide. The long and the short of it is..... about 100 animals (mainly dogs and pups) were removed from this property which has been operating for some time by "an elderly woman". The local residents of a nearly country town were "shocked and dismayed" that this type of operation was being run right "under their noses" and nothing was known about it.<br />
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Pictures of the appalling conditions were shown on the news and on internet sites. The RSPCA called for temporary foster carers as well as supplies such as blankets, towels, food and called out to any vets who can jump in and help. One dog gave birth to her pups in the RSPCA van on the way to the shelter.<br />
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There are about 10 mini schnauzers in the group, and one news picture showed a RSPCA officer carrying out a very heavily pregnant salt and pepper mini schnauzer. This <i>really tugged </i>at my heart strings.<br />
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I for one (and my views are shared by many) cannot understand how anybody can sleep at night knowing that they run an operation that is based on making these dependent animals miserable. My mini schnauzer will "freak out" if there is a microscopic bit of poop on or around her backside - and will happily let me help her out with a warm wash off. These "farmed" animals don't get the luxury of sleeping or living in areas that are clean.... and not to mention ..... are given diets that are of poor and cheap quality.<br />
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These animals are intelligent and are basically being trampled by filth and neglect. Not to mention the psychological torture. Those of us who live and love our domestic animals know that they love to communicate their needs and can show us how much they love us.<br />
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The good news is that the call for foster carers has worked..... and loads of lovely people have come forward to offer their home and help for this case. In fact, the RSPCA has said that they do not require any more foster homes as they have enough people registered now.<br />
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We heard last night that 40 dogs have already gone home with foster families and the others are being kept because they have to: receive medial attention, or are close to giving birth, or have behavioural issues that need to be assessed. You can only imagine how many warm baths are being run in those 40 homes!! <br />
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I myself would love to have helped, but my husband is frightened that any dogs I might foster would actually end up as part of our family, after I form the unbreakable attachment!! He had only agreed to allow me to buy my mini schnauzer after MUCH pleading by me, as he didn't want to have a dog.<br />
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Once a week - I make my mini schnauzers life a misery -<i><b> yea really</b></i>! I put her in a warm bath and soap her all over with expensive dog shampoo. She is convinced that THIS is the definition of MISERY! Oh how spoiled she is. She has even made it into our queen sized bed after 6 months of making me miserable by making her sleep in a comfy pen in the family room. She made sure we knew how sad she was by crying for about 20 minutes every night for someone to come and get her. It eventually worked after we had a very loud stormy night, and she was so scared - I went and collected her and put her in our bed - and there she has stayed ever since.<br />
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Back to the RSPCA situation. What I will do is take some warm bedding and food down to the shelter to add a little support direct from me.<br />
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This morning's update on the radio was an interview by a RSPCA representative. He is leading the legislative push to have all domestic dog and cat breeders become "licensed and monitored" which will prevent another situation like this one. I'm sure he will get all the necessary support from the public to help make this happen. Let's pray that it does happen. Once our state can get this done, it is hoped all other Australian states will follow.<br />
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He also mentioned that he took a female 10 year Cocker Spaniel and had to bathe her 3 times to get the "muck-off". She was currently lying on his couch watching the man on the phone. What a lovely picture that gave me.... and I couldn't help but smile.<br />
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Now there will be more dogs who will be able to go out for walks and "smell the flowers (and grass)" for the first time.</div>
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Bless their little furry paws.<br />
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NB: I've just heard something that has really made my day. The Schnauzer Club of South Australia has just posted an update on their Facebook page.... they confirm that they will offer assistance to all the schnauzers involved in this farm and provide whatever care they need.... grooming, puppy raising, fostering, homes etc etc.<br />
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Rest assured that it is going to be a great outcome for ALL the animals. I have deliberately not posted any images of the farm or the animals while there. But I have found an image gallery link if you want to see - totally up to you. <b><span style="color: red;"><u><a href="http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/gallery-e6frea83-1226661433778?page=1">LINK: Image Gallery</a></u></span></b></div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-29079529015768375932013-06-01T13:54:00.000+09:302013-06-01T13:54:22.975+09:30COOKING: "English" Scones<br />
I was asked to make a huge batch of Scones for my friend Lynn to take to her work for "Harmony Day". Lynn was born and educated in the U.K. - but is a firm proud Aussie now. Albeit with an English accent!!<br />
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To pay homage to her roots - she wanted to take an English Dish to her work, and decided that Scones were the way to go. I gladly agreed to make them. Any excuse for baking I say!<br />
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This is the EASIEST recipe and not traditional at all ..... but it's a winner.<br />
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The Objective.</div>
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One cup Cream, One cup Lemonade, Three cups Self-Raising Flour and a pinch of salt. I elected to add about 1/2 cup of sultanas to one batch...... so people could choose either with or without fruit.</div>
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Sift the flour and salt into the bowl.</div>
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Add in the sultanas (if using).</div>
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I love sultanas in scones...... but some people like my husband and brother are vehemently opposed.</div>
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Then tip in the cream and lemonade.</div>
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Mix lightly and gently with a knife - DO NOT OVERWORK.... this is the key!</div>
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Tip out onto floured bench. LIGHTLY knead just till flour is fully incorporated.</div>
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Pat out to a fat round - about an inch thick is good.</div>
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Pick your cutter size and start cutting.</div>
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Place onto a baking tray with either a silicone sheet or baking paper. Brush tops with a little milk.</div>
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While they are baking in the oven set to 220 degrees C (425 F) pour yourself a lemonade - you deserve it. Marvel at how rare it is that you actually drink lemonade!!</div>
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Scones should only take about 10-12 minutes and should sound hollow when tapped from the bottom.</div>
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All done and cooling on the racks.</div>
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That's what mine looked like.</div>
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And it is only socially responsible for me to taste ONE (with strawberry jam and whipped cream) to make sure that they were good.</div>
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<b>They were good.</b></div>
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And they went down a treat.</div>
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The official link to the recipe: <b><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/16549/best+ever+scones">CLICK HERE</a></span></b> </div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-24998612185995558422013-04-30T11:53:00.001+09:302013-04-30T11:53:08.786+09:30COOKING: Almond Macaron with Chocolate Filling<br />
Yes I have got a bit caught up in the whole "Macaron Frenzy" that seems to have splashed over all the reality TV cooking programs and then mesmerised the masses.<br />
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I recently got my first cookbook dedicated to this lovely biscuit courtesy of my friend Lynn:<br />
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Aren't they PRETTY!</div>
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In Australia we have a lovely lady DONNA HAY who is known as a "Food Stylist" but she is also an awesome home cook/chef. She is VERY good at shortcuts to achieve an awesome result.<br />
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My brother who has also got a love of food.... bought this when he saw it on special in his supermarket:<br />
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It sat in his pantry for months before he gave it to me to make them.... because he thought it all sounded a bit tricky.<br />
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So yesterday he came over for dinner with his two mini schnauzers, and I baked them in the afternoon. This is how they turned out:<br />
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These appear much more yellow than what they really were..... I had to take the pictures at night without the benefits of natural light - hence the yellow tinge</div>
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Donna's</div>
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Mine</div>
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Almost identical I'd say (minus the colour issue LOL!)</div>
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And we can honestly say - really nice and delicious - and much less sugary than others we have tried. </div>
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Well Done Donna !! Another really great product.</div>
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But I will be making mine from scratch (stretching my skills) from here on using my cookbook. </div>
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No doubt you will hear all about my attempts. Wish me luck.</div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-60684835398893885132013-03-29T16:16:00.001+10:302013-03-29T16:16:27.283+10:30COOKING: Hot Cross Buns<br />
I realised with horror that it was the day before Good Friday and I had not bought any Hot Cross Buns yet! So I jumped onto the ipad and did a search for an easy, foolproof recipe to try.<br />
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Yum Yum Yum!</div>
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I found this "5 star rated" recipe (the best kind) and was even more delighted to realise I could avoid most of the hard work and put my bread machine into use!<br />
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Here is the link: <u><b><a href="http://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipe/hot-cross-buns-L4760.html">www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipe/hot-cross-buns-L4760.html</a></b></u><br />
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I'll show you the steps.<br />
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First I put the dried yeast, plain flour, brown sugar, salt, nutmeg (and I added a teaspoon of cinnamon) sultanas, egg, margarine and water into the bread machine - then selected dough cycle. The dough really rose quite impressively - and this it it before I tipped it out onto the floured bench.</div>
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The recipe called for kneading until it is elastic and springs back when pressed. Only took about two minutes.</div>
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I tried to portion the dough evenly, but unless you weigh each portion - I think its hard to be exact.</div>
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Put them close but not touching on your tray/s.</div>
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Cover with clean tea towels and leave in a warm spot for 30 minutes. I chose my sunny outdoor table for the job.</div>
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After thirty minutes - they are now just touching.</div>
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The crosses are made with a paste of flour, sugar and water. Was like glue!</div>
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Pipe across all your buns, one way first,</div>
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Then the other.</div>
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Not a bad effort, a bit wonky - considering my piping bag was giving me a really hard time, and kept on exploding apart!!!</div>
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Baked and glazed.</div>
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Really happy - husband said they were very professional looking!</div>
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And they tasted really great too! This recipe is a keeper.</div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-34085333876241288102013-03-19T15:02:00.000+10:302013-03-19T15:02:04.009+10:30CRAFTS: Mosaic Possums<br />
When I was helping out in a friends craft shop, I ordered a gorgeous ceramic tile of two POSSUMS. I'm a big fan of the Possum, I think they are furry and cute. However, if you ask others who have them destroy their veggie gardens or pot plants, then run over their house rooves all night long - with what sounds like army boots on - they will tell you that they hate them. I have only encountered them in nature ..... and I'm a fan. I've been known to tempt them to come close with fruit and vegetables as my bribery - here is one which came the closest while hubs and I were touring Tasmania. He/she even rested its paws on my leg!<br />
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Thanks for the memories - Tassie Friend!</div>
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I'll always remember another little possum sleeping on the window sill of the ladies' shower/toilet block in our caravan park in Hervey Bay, Queensland. It slept all day, and put a huge smile on the faces of ladies using the facilities throughout the day. Of course, at sunset it was off to source some food and check out the outdoors. I fed that one some banana.</div>
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Finished and hanging on the outside wall.</div>
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The beginning of the grouting process. I had to wait for a cool day otherwise the grout dries too fast.</div>
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Your grout must be toothpaste consistency then you squoosh it inbetween all the tiles with a worn sponge.</div>
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When it is all squooshed in, you wait a bit, then start to use a damp sponge to clean the surface off.</div>
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Hello Possum. My ceramics friend Sandy makes and fires the gum leaves, gum nuts, and yellow rounds for the wattles too. A great time saver instead of cutting them out by hand from tiles!</div>
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This project has taken me over 6 months to complete, at a very leisurely pace. </div>
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This wall faces our hillside views and the entrance to the gazebo. This is often where I will sit with my first coffee of the day with my mini schnauzer on her outdoor bed to my left. </div>
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The mosaic table was my very FIRST mosaic project I made while taking classes.</div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-76048014185146089032013-02-23T16:43:00.000+10:302013-02-23T16:53:28.721+10:30FREEDOM: "High Tea"<br />
Today I had a really nice outing. I organised "High Tea" for 5 of my girlfriends from High School. I snapped up an internet offer and thought we should give it a go. (I am wary of these "offers" because sometimes they can be a surprise - but not in a good way!! LOL!)<br />
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The internet reviews of the High Tea venue were good..... so I was 90% confident that it was going to be OK.<br />
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First impression of the venue (Orchid Garden Tea Room) - really nice!</div>
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I loved looking at the display of pretty China .... I have a <b><i>HUGE</i></b> weakness for flowery, delicate, pretty china.</div>
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We could also purchase the special blends of tea if we wished. Not me - I'm a strict coffee girl!</div>
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First plate - prawns in a creamy sauce</div>
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Second plate - "Royal Duck with Mushroom"</div>
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Third plate - little mouthfuls of yummy things</div>
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Couldn't resist a close-up of these gorgeous little jellies!</div>
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And this - is a momentous occasion ..... my <b>FIRST EVER FRENCH MACARON</b>!!! It was orange flavoured and was simply divine! Now I know what all the fuss is about!</div>
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I must say that it was great catching up the girl talk and just have a little bit of delicate luxury for 2-3 hours (we lingered) before we had to return to normal life.</div>
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If we could put this kind of experience (Girl Talk and High Tea in a lovely place) into a little bottle and sell it ...... it would be worth thousands.</div>
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<b><i>We must do it again girls. Love Ya lots!!!!</i></b></div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-27874773526643168992012-12-28T16:41:00.000+10:302012-12-28T16:41:37.327+10:30COOKING: More Christmas Goodies!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I tried a new recipe for the Almond Crescents...... they were an absolute triumph and tasted very much like the ones "mum used to make". I am yet to go through my late mothers recipe books.... many of them are written in one of three languages!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are the Lemon Polenta cookies. I was a little dubious of the use of polenta in cookies..... they were OK but not great.... so I won't be making them again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nut Clusters. These are gluten free and really good. When cold they are brushed with dark chocolate on the underside. These are made on request of my friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally - Hedgehog slice and the same mix was tipped into small patty cases. These are also Gluten Free as I used gluten free shortbread in the ingredients list.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This platter came with us when we went to my sister-in-laws for Christmas Day Lunch. The numerous kids LOVED it (and big kids too).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was nothing to do with me..... but it was one of the desserts on offer at that Christmas Day Lunch. It was so pretty I had to photograph it. It was an ice-cream cake with frozen chocolate sponge and two layers of creamy gelato. I was TOTALLY AWESTRUCK with the pink layer (it was Turkish Delight flavoured) and I could have eaten a litre just of it. This green layer was mint and it had chocolate frosting with fresh raspberries and flaked chocolate. The hands in the picture belong to my husband's (naughty) niece. She was busy trying to take all credit for making it - when her sister-in-law actually made it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is my table setting for the final "Christmas" event on my calendar.... dinner on Boxing Day for four. My good friend Lynn has all family in the UK..... so I like to throw a formal dinner for her. I invite my brother over to make it a nice easy four. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Another Christmas over...... and I can put my feet up a bit now. Whew!!</i></b></span></div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-85014228977716135412012-12-19T14:12:00.000+10:302012-12-19T14:12:42.358+10:30COOKING: Almond Bread<br />
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I love Christmas baking. It reminds me of my late mother and happy childhood memories of preparing the "Christmas Biscuits" prior to Santa coming. For my brother, sister and I - it was the beginning of the big school break (Yay!) and always a task we did together as a family. Well - except for my father - he didn't do "kitchen stuff".<br />
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As for me - my weakness is Almond Bread. I love how it is thin and crisp and just tastes so good. My first attempts at it were an absolute flop.... enough to scare me off for years before trying agin. Now I have found the PERFECT recipe - which is almost foolproof. I say almost - as I did make an error one year and it turned out much harder than it should be. I now know that when baking the loaves initially, it is better to <b>over cook</b> rather than undercook them.<br />
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For the recipe (it is on Food.com) <u><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/almond-bread-4478">CLICK HERE TO THE LINK.</a></span></u><br />
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Grease and line two loaf tins. NB: I've doubled the recipe.</div>
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Separate the eggs and start your mixer.</div>
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Once the egg whites are thick, then rain in the sugar and make sure the sugar is all dissolved.</div>
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Have your flour and almonds ready.</div>
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Drop them in and fold to combine.</div>
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Make sure you have no flour pockets.</div>
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Place mixture into loaf tin/s. I added some dried cranberries to the second loaf for extra festive cheer.</div>
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Bake at 160C or 325F for 40 - 50 minutes. Mine took closer to 60. Make sure skewer comes out clean.</div>
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Wrap in foil and leave in fridge for 1-2 days. Find your sharpest (I like a serrated knife for this) knife.</div>
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Slice as thin as you can while still getting the "whole" slice.</div>
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Place onto lined trays and place in a slow oven 120C or 250F for about 45 minutes, until dried out.</div>
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Cool completely before storing in airtight containers. Will keep for 3-4 months. I package it into little cellophane bags and tie them with curling ribbon to give as gifts.</div>
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A sight for sore eyes!!</div>
Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-57478707360325911332012-12-11T16:56:00.001+10:302012-12-11T16:56:57.116+10:30CRAFTS: Antique Buffet Restoration<br />
Those of you who follow this blog will know that I am fond of saving wooden furniture from ending up in landfill ...... <b><u>Look</u></b> what I found in the garage of my parents-in-law when we had the dubious task of clearing the house and garage prior to sale.<br />
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As usual... I forgot to take a complete "before photo" - this photo shows the top and sides beginning to be sanded.</div>
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I hate sanding - lucky for me my husband did the "lion share" this time.</div>
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Everyone looked at me as if I had bought the ticket to the "funny farm" when I put my hand up and said "I'll have it!!" Even my husband. He said that this cupboard was always in the back of the garage - holding tools, paints and poisons.... he cannot remember it even being in the house first!</div>
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To be honest - I noticed the beautiful drawer handles first..... and then I was in love. I am particularly fond of ornate handles and such.</div>
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You could tell it has been exposed to many years of cold winters and hot summers.... the wood had split in a number of areas and needed filling.</div>
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Sanded and cleaned ready for stain and varnish. We gave up on the split and wobbly top - and my husband replaced the top entirely.</div>
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I love the invention of a combined stain and varnish!!</div>
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We deliberately did not sand off everything - I like the look of some background left behind ....</div>
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YAY!! All finished and in situ in my office.</div>
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I gotta say - I am so in love with this piece.</div>
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And I love that I have somewhere to put my mosaic supplies and my sewing machine and toolbox!</div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-88740399683462051272012-11-27T15:25:00.000+10:302012-11-27T15:38:43.312+10:30FREEDOM: (Eating Again) Lunch with Friends in the Country<br />
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Last Saturday, we got together with the group of friends which we went away with for the House-boating holiday back in May. They are three people my husband and I knew through our workplace (including two partners) - so we are a merry band of seven.... and very much enjoy catching up.<br />
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We booked a table in a historic hotel - a country pub in Willunga which started operations in 1840. I'm sorry I forgot to take a photo of the very beautiful street view of the hotel. We actually had the entire dining room to ourselves which was lovely - we said it was like eating around the table in houseboat!!</div>
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As soon as I read the board on the left - there was no further need to peruse the real menu! Duck (especially confit leg) is my FAVOURITE!!!! </div>
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In this room is a secondary bar.... with an interesting addition above the bar!</div>
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This is real life size rubber version of a great white shark caught in a seaside town, Robe. I'm not sure what is has to do with Willunga.... but the new managers here are from Robe - so maybe there is a connection there??</div>
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Our friends all arrived and after much chatting the food started coming too - this is the beer battered fish and chips</div>
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This is the Salt and Pepper Squid that the husband ordered</div>
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Last but not least - two at the table ordered the Confit Duck Legs - smothered in Red Wine and Garlic Jus...... I was a happy girl!</div>
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Can you believe we squeezed in dessert too!!</div>
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My husband has announced that he has already put on 2kg over the last couple of weeks - blaming the socialising and eating that happen prior to the Christmas Season. </div>
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<b><i>Tis the season to be Jiggly...........</i></b></div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-33510806294477114292012-11-22T18:13:00.001+10:302012-11-22T18:13:25.977+10:30FREEDOM: Eggs Benny at the Beach <br />
Today, my husband and I took a good friend to a Breakfast "celebration". My friend had a Birthday a little while ago while she was visiting family in the UK.... so we agreed to have a meal together when she got back. Breakfast was her idea, and I did not argue!<br />
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This is the Deep Blue Cafe on the esplanade at Moana Beach. My third time here.</div>
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The development of the esplanade is really lovely.</div>
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This beach holds many fond childhood memories for me..... it was our preferred "family" beach where get-togethers were held (it's a metropolitan beach where vehicles can drive onto the sand - and elaborate tents and shelters are built between vehicles - especially on weekends) ..... many of my aunts, uncles (and my mother) have now passed away... but the memories of our times here are cherished. </div>
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Inside the cafe our coffees arrived.</div>
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My friend and I have been dreaming about eggs benedict for ages.... a rare treat which goes straight to the hips!</div>
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Husband just wanted an egg, cheese and bacon (with BBQ sauce) roll.... he doesn't get turned on by Hollandaise sauce like I do!</div>
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And it all tasted even better with a view like this.</div>
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The other reasons for our celebration today....... my friend has gone on a <i style="font-weight: bold;">spending spree</i> and bought a brand new car (medium size SUV) and yesterday she confirmed her purchase of a caravan.</div>
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Guess who is coming camping and caravanning with us??</div>
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<br />Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803740266234686858.post-37738951449499478482012-09-27T17:50:00.000+09:302012-09-29T15:20:02.842+09:30COOKING, CRAFTS AND FREEDOM: A bit on all three!<br />
It's amazing at how many photos we have loaded on our computers. It certainly takes up the most space on my mac!<i> I found some pictures that I wanted to share with you.</i><br />
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This was my first (and only) Wedding Cake order. I was so pleased with it, as were the bride and groom. It was an old fashioned heavy fruit and nut cake..... iced with Almond Fondant and then Royal Icing.</div>
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I cheated and bought the edible frangipanis - flowers that were in the bridal bouquet. I did paint the inner section with powdered yellow colouring though. </div>
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It was a huge responsibility...... it made me feel ill that something might go wrong! But lucky for me - it was perfect! Whew!!</div>
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Next - I wanted to show you some of my ceramic work:</div>
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One Christmas - I painted some "personalised dinner sets" for the younger members of my gift list.</div>
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I was very happy with the end results.</div>
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And the children LOVED them. It made them feel very special.</div>
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I couldn't resist doing a set for my good friend Lynn. She has three dogs and my ceramics friend and "teacher" helped with the caricatures of the three dogs. Turned out so cute!!</div>
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Lastly, my husband and I went away one summer and drove to Melbourne with four other friends in a hire 6 seater vehicle. The main purpose was to "hit the shops" as Melbourne has fabulous outlet shopping - and huge bargains in their "warehouse direct" stores. A crazy idea but we had heaps of fun - and our men folk are fairly OK with indulging we women!! I took this photo of yet another "BIG" Australian thing....... a little known one which I think is so cute!</div>
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<b>The Giant Koala</b> - on the main highway between Adelaide and Melbourne.</div>
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Rubie and Poots (her Mum)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17665848460011726915noreply@blogger.com2